vDrive Boats

Choosing the Best Wakeboard, Crossover, or Ski Boat for your Needs

Today's fast-paced world requires activities that allow individuals to get away from the daily grind and provide some time to work off pent up energy and stress. The wide range of sports available to people has opened up, and the attraction of weekend getaways at the beach or lake, paired with increasing financial ability of individuals to purchase motorized equipment, makes marine activities a growing choice for adrenaline enthusiasts. Wakeboarding, a relatively new water sport, is on the rise and plenty of individuals are seeking fun, sun and sand. That said, buying the right equipment for your needs is important, and a person looking into boats for wakeboarding purposes might not have the knowledge of purchasing the right boat for the end purpose.

To start with, there are two main types of propulsion systems popular for water sport boats: an I/O drive (otherwise known as Stern drive) or a V-drive. The difference in these types of drives refers mainly to the placement of the motor. In an I/O propulsion system, the engine is connected to a steerable drive unit that comes down through a cut-out in the transom of the boat. Its counterpart, the V-drive, has a drive shaft runs forward to a gear box and then aft and down through the hull. There are some clear advantages to having the engine in the hull of the boat, such as being able to maneuver closer to land in shallow water or speed and performance, though a stern-located motor isolates fumes and noise towards the aft of the boat. Each boat and the individual's needs combine to create factors that make the type of propulsion system an important consideration, when purchasing a boat.

There are even more things to think about when looking to purchase a wakeboard boat or a water ski boat. The main activity the boat will be used for is very important, as the wakes produced from each type of boat and drive are very different. Avid water skiers will prefer an inboard boat for their fun at the lake, and wake boarders tend to prefer the choppier waters produced by a v-drive engine. V-drives were conceived for wakeboarding and as such, provide more of a challenge to enthusiasts as the wake it creates is more than that of a water ski boat and has more pull from the takeoff, something that can make the V-drive attractive for wakeboard enthusiasts, while inboard boats have a smoother wake and suit water skiers better. However, a V-drive can be more exciting for water skiers than stern drive ski boats, though the wake may be more difficult to handle for individuals used to being towed by a boat with a direct drive. The difference of water ski boats versus wakeboard boats is clear - they were designed with two different adventures and activities in mind and produce very different results.

Comfortable seating for vDrive boats and increased storage capacity versus inboard boats make this a popular choice for many individuals. The design of an inboard boat, because of propulsion system placement, tends to cut down on available space for seating and storage. However, V-drives are less equipped to handle rough water, which may make them a poor choice for boat owners that use smooth lakes for their marine activities. Handling is a large factor in boat owners' pleasure and enjoyment of their watercraft, so taking a potential purchase for a few test runs and trying it out means you'll feel more secure in your choice of boat to buy. Also, various brands of boats might handle differently on the water, and individuals will want to not only test for performance, but maneuverability in shallow water and near uneven shorelines, as well as reversing and docking. Checking out the advantages of each make and model on the market will give you a good idea of what each brand of boat can offer.

The financial factor, including adaptability and versatility as well as being able to easily procure a used boat, is the most important one for boaters on a budget. Price tag is always a consideration, and individuals should figure out whether they can afford a new boat or should opt for used. Used inboard boats and wakeboard boats can be attractive for financial reasons, but new models offer warranty and peace of mind. Many premium-style boats can be bought for a relatively low cost. Also, with a new boat you'll be guaranteed there are no blemishes or troubles from the start, though most boat manufacturers have a good track record and repairs on both wakeboard boats and inboard boats should be fairly small if the boat's been well maintained. Complexity of the propulsion system usually means more repairs or a shorter life, so for those who are considering purchasing used boats for their activities, water ski boats will offer more for your dollar in the long term versus wakeboard boats, but keep in mind that the marine activity you have in mind requires the best design of boat for that end.

There's a good choice of manufacturers from which you can buy a powerboat. Most manufacturers offer both wakeboard boats and water ski boats, with various models in each line. Mastercraft has a three-decade history of offering quality craft backs up a solid reputation, with four main categories of boats designed with each individual's needs in mind, from wakeboard to water skiing to performance. A new Mastercraft will set individuals back between $50,000 and $100,000. Malibu boats, another leading name in the marine sport industry, are a relatively newer manufacturer. Having been in operation since 1982, they have less years under the belt than Mastercraft, but also offer just as wide a range of water craft and tend to have lower prices overall. Malibu leans more towards having a better design for their v-drive models, which may make them a more attractive option for serious wake boarders, though they offer solid water ski boats as well. Prices are on the lower end of the scale, ranging from $20,000 to $75,000. Correct Craft is another popular manufacturer that offers a line called "Nautique", and they offer eight choices of boats ranging in cost from $40,000 to $75,000. Their website proudly displays a video showing over 80 years of history in the boating world. Moomba also offers eight choices and while relatively new to the industry (1980s), their boats have shown craftsmanship by winning awards for "Ski Boat of the Year." Their Outback model comes with a price tag of $30,000 to $40,000. As this is by no means an extensive list of manufacturers and models, individuals will want to look into other makers such as Tige, Centurion, Sanger and Gekko.

All in all, for the casual marine sport enthusiast, purchasing from a dealer raises the cost of equipment beyond what's reasonable and looking into used wakeboard boats or water ski boats that offer wake plates and versatility is the financially-savvy option. The price is considerably lower and more affordable, and since manufacturers of all brands put effort into creating water craft that's reliable and solid, purchasing a used boat usually fills the consumer's needs quite nicely without busting budgets. Indeed, older models of boats are often seen on the water, providing just as much performance and fun as their newer counterparts. Prices for used boats vary widely and need careful inspection and shopping to ensure that individuals aren't buying more headaches than they need, but keeping costs down makes used boats a good option for weekend water skiers and wake boarders. The internet can be a valuable resource for finding used boats, and the smart shopper will also look for off-season specials and deals.

Options and accessories are something else to look into when purchasing a wakeboard boat or water ski boat. Some water ski boats have special wake plates and other accessories to allow shaping of the water, and many wakeboard boats come with towers that help with hang time. Should the wakeboard boat you'd like to purchase not have a tower installed, you can purchase one separately and have it added on. Towers also free up space and provide places to install racks, store speakers for music or add lights and some collapse for even easier storage. Other accessories for your wakeboard boat include wake surf racks for boards that have optional spinner and lift-off upgrades. There are other add-ons that can make your water sport fun even easier, such as ladders, mirrors, boarding steps and heating or defrosting systems. A boat cover is always something good to have for proper storage.

Doing your homework on your needs, such as the types of activities you'll be doing, where you'll be doing them, the amount of time your boat will be in use, and the power and drive requirements of each boat considering the specific water sport that it'll be used for is a must when looking to purchase either new or used equipment. For example, skiers prefer the wake result of a direct drive versus the wake of a v-drive, which is important to know for getting the most out of your water craft. Also, larger bodies of water require wider boats to handle rough waters while smaller craft is better suited for smoother-surfaced lakes. Always keep in mind that boats are vehicles far more specifically designed for different activities and are not as versatile or adaptable as automobiles - a car can handle both highways and country roads, but a wakeboard boat and one built for water skiing won't provide the same results, which can leave boat owners unhappy with their choice. Shop around, ask questions and inform yourself on what's on the market and make sure you're getting a boat that's both within your means and that will give you the best thrill for your money.
 

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